Danny Valencia, Billy Butler fight reportedly over sponsor remark

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Billy Butler was unavailable to play over the weekend after suffering complications following his fight with teammate Danny Valencia. Now we have an idea of what led to the fight.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser, the two Oakland A’s teammates fought on Friday night after Butler made some comments to a product rep about the cleats Valencia wears. The rep apparently noticed that Valencia had another company’s shoes in his locker, and Valencia dismissed the concern by saying he only wears them pregame. Butler apparently said otherwise to the rep and reportedly suggested the company drop Valencia.

Valencia then supposedly confronted Butler about messing with his endorsement deal, and Butler did not back down. They reportedly bumped heads in the clubhouse and Valencia punched Butler in the temple.

Butler was not scheduled to play on Friday night anyhow, but he missed games on Saturday and Sunday he otherwise would play in because of nausea and vomiting. Slusser says Valencia could face a suspension or even be released for the incident.

We doubt Valencia gets released. The infielder is batting .302 with 15 home runs and has put together two excellent seasons in Oakland. Butler has one more year left on his contract with the A’s.

Baseball – Larry Brown Sports
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#Billy, #Butler, #Danny, #Fight, #Over, #Remark, #Reportedly, #Sponsor, #Valencia - #Baseball

ESPN confuses Devin Booker with arrested Notre Dame cornerback Devin Butler

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Devin Booker is the sharpshooting young 2-guard the Phoenix Suns drafted No. 13 overall last summer. Devin Butler is the Notre Dame cornerback who was arrested over the weekend on preliminary felony charges of battery to law enforcement and resisting arrest. ESPN ran into a bit of trouble making that distinction on Saturday.

The Worldwide Leader in Sports had a rather embarrassing gaffe on an episode of SportsCenter when they used an image of Booker to accompany a story about Butler’s arrest.

.@SportsCenter whoops. @DevinBook pic.twitter.com/sHKYdf1ybT

— JTrain (@purplePHXorange) August 21, 2016

Of course living in the era of social media, the goof would not go unnoticed and wound up going viral, even coming to the attention of Booker himself.

Really… @espn @SportsCenter

— Devin Booker (@DevinBook) August 21, 2016

The network quickly issued an apology within the hour, which was read on the air by anchor Zubin Mehenti.

@DevinBook @espn @SportsCenter pic.twitter.com/uAJAgVOWF4

— JTrain (@purplePHXorange) August 21, 2016

Apparently, 13.8 points per game in your first NBA season, All-Rookie First Team honors, and a personalized gift from The Black Mamba isn’t enough to garner some respect around these parts. Keep grinding, Book.

Image Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

H/T For The Win

Basketball – Larry Brown Sports
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#Arrested, #Booker, #Butler, #Confuses, #Cornerback, #Dame, #Devin, #ESPN, #Notre - #Basketball

Jimmy Butler claims he’s a better wideout than Demaryius Thomas, Antonio Brown

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Jimmy Butler is already the face of the Chicago Bulls, but he may have delusions about starring for the Chicago Bears as well.

In an interview with Mark Schwarz of ESPN on Saturday, Butler tried to claim that he’s a better wide receiver than All-Pros Demaryius Thomas and Antonio Brown and that he would be getting franchise tagged if he wasn’t competing for USA Basketball at the Rio Games this summer. Many of Butler’s Olympic teammates didn’t feel quite the same way.

Jimmy Butler says he"d be a better WR than AB and Demaryius Thomas, gets roasted by all of Team USA https://t.co/fOIZ3DjxnH

— BALLUPNBA (@BallUpNBA) August 21, 2016

While Butler’s generous estimation of his own football talents may have been a little tongue-in-cheek, it seems he would at least have the physical tools to survive in the NFL. The two-time All-Star stands 6-foot-7 and weighs 220 pounds. For reference, Brown is listed at 5-foot-10, 181 pounds while Thomas clocks in at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds. Butler also posted a max vert of 39 inches at the NBA Draft Combine in 2011.

Still, there are many more skills (efficient route running, speed/lateral movement, pass-catching ability, etc.) that go into being an elite wide receiver than just pure physical gifts. As such, Butler, who just signed a max contract with the Bulls last summer, is probably better off staying in his lane on the hardwood. But hey, maybe he still has a chance at starring in Invincible 2 with his buddy Mark Wahlberg.

Image Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

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#Antonio, #Better, #Brown, #Butler, #Claims, #Demaryius, #HeS, #Jimmy, #Than, #Thomas, #Wideout - #Football